Tsemon Ling Monastery, abbreviated as “Tsemon Ling,” has the formal full name “Tubten Renchen Chokorling.”
It was initially built in 1350 AD and originally belonged to the Tsangpa Kagyu sect. Around 1650 AD, it transitioned to the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
Tsemon Ling Monastery is located in the Tsemon Ling community, in Alley 3 of Beijing Middle Road, Lhasa, approximately 200 meters southwest of the Ramoche Temple.
Currently, the Sera Monastery Management Committee manages all affairs of Tsemon Ling Monastery. It is also one of the four major Ling monasteries in Lhasa.
Introduction
The Tsemon Ling community, as well as the nearby Alley 1, Alley 2, and Alley 3, are all named after Tsemon Ling Monastery.
This monastery was the third “Ling” built in Lhasa after Tengye Ling Monastery.
The 1st Tsemon Ling Rinpoche studied the “Five Sciences” at Sera Monastery’s Mei Zhacang and later furthered his studies in both exoteric and esoteric Buddhist teachings at the Upper Tantric College. He became the Khenpo of Shartse Zhacang at Ganden Monastery. Due to his profound knowledge, he was summoned to Beijing to serve as the Khenpo of Yonghe Temple. Several years later, he was ordered to return to Tibet to assume the position of Regent of Tibet, becoming the second Regent appointed by the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty.
The 1st Tsemon Ling Rinpoche built This monastery after taking office as the Regent of Tibet. Since he had studied Buddhism at Sera Monastery, so that this monastery naturally became a subsidiary of Sera Monastery.
During his tenure as the Regent of Tibet, the 1st Tsemon Ling Rinpoche initially resided in Ganden Khangsar (the residence of the Qing Dynasty’s Amban in Tibet). Later, he moved to the Rinpoche’s Palace in Tsemon Ling.
In 1820, the 2nd Tsemon Ling Rinpoche succeeded as the 4th Regent of Tibet, ruling for 25 years until 1844, making him the longest-serving Regent of Tibet. In the sixth year of his regency, 1825, he oversaw the expansion of the monastery.
The influence of the Tsemon Ling Palace reached its peak during the tenure of the 2nd Tsemonling Rinpoche.
After converting to the Gelug sect, the “Ling” was religiously subordinated to Sera Monastery’s Mei Zhacang, while remaining economically independent, with the Tsemonling Rinpoche having full control.
The 1st Tsemonling Rinpoche gained the favor of Emperor Qianlong and was appointed the second Regent of Tibet, establishing a solid foundation for the 2nd Tsemon Ling Rinpoche to ascend to the regency and expand Tsemon Ling Monastery.
Although Tsemon Ling Monastery suffered damage during subsequent religious factional struggles, its influence was consolidated and strengthened once again when the 3rd Tsemon Ling Rinpoche was officially recognized by the Qing government and appointed as Regent, allowing the monastery to expand further.
Due to its religious affiliation with Sera Monastery’s Mei Zhacang, in addition to enshrining statues of Shakyamuni, Tsongkhapa, and successive Tsemonling Rinpoches, the monastery also enshrines the main protective deity of Mei Zhacang, Tawo Protector.
The long, narrow side hall on the left enshrines the Akshobhya Buddha and others. The left and middle side halls connected at the back enshrine Tawo Protector and Yamantaka, respectively, while the right side hall enshrines Shakyamuni. The long, narrow side hall on the right enshrines the Three Protectors (Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, and Vajrapani), among others.
Lineage of Tsemonling Rinpoche
“Tsemonling Rinpoche,” also known as “Zhuoni Tsemonling Rinpoche,” is named “Zhuoni” because the first through fourth incarnations were born in Zhuoni (modern-day Zhuoni County in Gannan Tibetan Prefecture).
The lineage of Tsemon Ling Rinpoche began when the 1st Tsemon Ling Rinpoche became the Regent of Tibet, marking another significant lineage of Gelugpa tulkus under the administration of the Tibetan local government and appointed by the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty.
To date, there have been five incarnations of the Tsemon Ling Rinpoche.
Layout and Architecture
Tsemon Ling Monastery faces south and covers an area of 6,240 square meters, with its architectural layout forming a roughly square courtyard.
Upon entering the main gate, there is a spacious courtyard. The west side and front of the courtyard are surrounded by two-story Tibetan-style buildings. The upper floor serves as living quarters, while the lower floor consists of a corridor, covering an area of 1,725 square meters. The main building is located at the rear of the courtyard.
The main building was constructed in two phases.
The eastern half, known as the “White Palace,” was built under the supervision of the 1st Tsemonling Rinpoche, Awang Chöden, when he served as the Regent in 1777.
The western half, known as the “Red Palace,” was constructed under the supervision of the 2nd Tsemonling Rinpoche, Awang Jampel.
Not far to the west of the monastery is the Rinpoche’s Palace, the residence of successive Tsemonling Rinpoches.
Between the Rinpoche’s Palace and the monastery lies a large-scale park called Lingka.
The rebuilt of this Monastery now occupies only a portion of the original complex. The other halls are still occupied by surrounding residences and small factories.
Organizational Structure
The organizational structure of this Monastery is not significantly different from that of Danjeling Zhacang. Initially, the number of monks was set at over 170.
After the 2nd Tsemon Ling Rinpoche was deposed, the number of monks decreased to 25.
During the tenure of the 3rd Tsemonling Rinpoche, the number was set at 75, with most monks selected from Sera Monastery’s Mei Zhacang.
The fluctuation in the number of monks in the Zhacang was, to some extent, related to the influence of the monastery’s Rinpoche.
Monks of this monastery must first join Sera Monastery’s Mei Zhacang. After applying, they wait for vacancies and fill them in order of application.
Each year, monks received over 32 Tibetan gram of grain (1 Tibetan gram is approximately 14 Kilogram), which was significantly more than what monks in other monasteries received and unparalleled by other Ling monasteries.
Like monks from other Ling monasteries, those from Tsemonling Dratsang did not need to participate in the Great Prayer Festival and received alms based on their numbers.
Normally, four monks were specifically assigned to chant scriptures at the Jokhang Temple‘s Naykhor Lhakhang according to regulations.
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